FIFO for vet’s pensions Hundreds of ‘war widows’ overseas claiming benefits

YOUNG women on tourist visas are claiming de facto status with ageing war veterans qualifying them for a taxpayerfunded pensions and Gold Cards for the rest of their lives.

The Sunday Territorian can reveal more than 280 war widows living abroad are receiving the lucrative payment, worth almost $900 a fortnight, many of whom weren’t even born during their partner’s service and have never worked or lived in Australia.

The distraught family of one recently-deceased Vietnam War veteran is calling on the Federal Government to overhaul the eligibility of the war widow’s pension, claiming some women are preying on veterans in their final years.

Legacy Australia chairman Tony Ralph said the organisation, which supports the families of veterans, would support a review into the eligibility requirements.

“Australians think these pensions go to widows and children living in Australia, particularly elder Australians to give them relative security in their final years,” he said.

“The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has a responsibility to society to ensure these pensions go to people who need them.”

Retired rugby league player Lee Oudenryn is embroiled in a fight with Filipino woman Rachelle Casilla who is receiving the lucrative benefits fol- lowing the death of his father.

Mr Oudenryn claims his father, who served in the Navy and Airforce for more than 25 years, met Ms Casilla, 32, in his final years and registered her as a de facto to encourage her to visit him in Australia.

He said the family were shocked to learn she would receive a war widow’s pension for the rest of her life, even if she leaves Australia and remarries. The family claims the couple were not in a de facto relationship because they met in 2013 and Ms Casilla only ever stayed in Australia for 90day stints on a tourist visa.

The Department of Veterans Affairs says eligibility for a war widow’s pension is determined following a veteran’s death and is paid for the remainder of the widow’s life. Land family are grieving the loss of their founder and have given a heartfelt tribute.

“We wish to honour and give praise to this incomparable woman who lit the flame and started the protest fire burning,” they said.

“Alice rallied the people she knew would stand beside her and fight, and with that our grassroots movement began.

“With no idea of how to take on the power of a mining company but knowing that what was at stake was worth the fight. Her unrelenting passion and devotion to her community and her people was the driving force behind all of Alice’s actions.

“She grew to become an adviser and educator to not only our community’s elders and children alike, but also to the outside world sharing the sacred knowledge of what land and culture mean to Aboriginal people.

“The elders have spoken and wish to express that all clangroups are mourning this loss. Her life’s work has created a legacy and a movement that will never be forgotten. “We will keep fighting. “We will carry the flame and keep the fire burning in her name protecting country and standing with its custodians on the fight against exploitation.” —————————— “When we cry, we cry the ocean.

When we sweat, we sweat the ocean.

When we drink, we drink the rivers and the rain.

And we wash into that ocean where the cycle starts again” Alice Eather